John Barrymore News

GRAND HOTEL (1932) will launch the Art Directors Guild (ADG) Film Society's 2018 screening series with a spotlight on CEDRIC GIBBONS, MGM'S Legendary Oscar®-winning Supervising Art Director with a record 11 Academy Awards® and 38 nominations, at the Aero Theatre on Sunday, April 22. Gibbons legendary film honors include Singin' In The Rain (1952), An American In Paris(1951), Pride And Prejudice (1940), The Wizard of Oz (1939) and The Great Ziegfeld (1936). He designed the iconic gold Oscar statuette and influenced the architecture of the majestic movie palaces. The annual 2018 Screening Series “Production Design: Designers On Design,”highlighting the work of renowned Production Designers and their creative collaborations, is in association with American Cinematheque and sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter. 

A classic tap-happy musical and a new production of a legendary Broadway comedy are highlights of Bucks County Playhouse's 2018 Season. Executive Producer Robyn Goodman, Producing Director Alexander Fraser and Producers Stephen Kocis and Josh Fiedler announced details of the season, which will kick off at the historic Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania on May 19.

Theatre Southwest presents I Hate Hamlet by Paul Rudnick, directed by David Hymel. Production Dates: Apr. 6 - 28, 2018.

Though the songwriting team of Robert Wright and George Forrest is best remembered by Broadway enthusiasts for adapting the music of Edvard Grieg into SONG OF NORWAY and similarly using the melodies of Alexander Borodin to create their score for KISMET, their greatest success came when director/choreographer Tommy Tune took interest in a musical of theirs that fizzled into obscurity on its way to Broadway, then known as AT THE GRAND.

The Art Directors Guild (ADG) Film Society and the American Cinematheque are co-hosting the annual 2018 Screening Series “Production Design: Designers On Design” highlighting the work of renowned Production Designers and their creative collaborations. The monthly series will run from April through August, and the screenings will alternate between the American Cinematheque's Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre at the Egyptian (6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood) and the Max Palevsky Theatre at the Aero (1328 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica) with all screenings starting at 5:30 pm. Moderating the screenings are Production Designers THOMAS A. WALSH ADG, JOHN MUTO ADG,and MICHAEL ALLEN GLOVER ADG. The screening series is sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter. For tickets, go to:www.americancinematheque.com.

The Unique Panel Discussion will celebrate a new book by Ronald Rand, "CREATE! How Extraordinary Artists Live to Create and Create to Live" at the historical theatrical club, The Lambs 3 West 51st Street, New York City, Monday, March 12th, 2018, 7:00-8:00pm. There is no charge for the Event. Seating is limited - reservations are necessary at: (212) 586-0306 or RSVP@The-Lambs.org     

A young and successful television actor relocates to New York, where he rents a marvelous, gothic apartment. With his television career in limbo, the actor is offered the opportunity to play Hamlet onstage, but there's one problem: He hates Hamlet. His dilemma deepens with the entrance of John Barrymore's ghost, who arrives intoxicated and in full costume to the apartment that once was his.

We all need a good laugh now-a-days and Theatre Three's production of Paul Rudnick's play I Hate Hamlet certainly delivers. The brilliant cast coupled with Mary Powers' clever direction brings roars of laughter throughout the production. Originally on Broadway in 1991, not without controversy, this incarnation runs through February 3rd at the Port Jefferson venue.

It's time to travel back to the 1930s for a rollicking good time on the rails as Theater To Go presents Ken Ludwig's Twentieth Century at Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre. A train trip from Chicago to New York City has lots riding on it including the future of a legendary producer and his Broadway show. Show times for this comedy classic are Fridays, Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Jan. 27 and Feb. 3 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4 at 2 p.m.

Steve Abrams and Kicky Productions announce that a brand new cabaret-concert, Lettin' the Good Times Roll featuring the dynamic duo, E. Faye Butler, Felicia P. Fields and a host of renowned musicians in a very special limited engagement for 9 performances at The Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.

Steve Abrams and Kicky Productions announce that a brand new cabaret-concert, Lettin' the Good Times Roll featuring the dynamic duo, E. Faye Butler, Felicia P. Fields and a host of renowned musicians in a very special limited engagement for 9 performances at The Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.

I HATE HAMLET is a 1991 comedy by Paul Rudnick, who is best known as the author of Jeffrey and The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told. It is a supernatural fantasy inspired by the time when the playwright was living in an apartment in New York that was John Barrymore's old apartment. The play is a throwback to those classic fantasy comedies like Arsenic and Old Lace, Goodbye Charlie and Bell, Book and Candle. There's no real deep message here, just witty and fun escapist entertainment.

Steve Abrams and Kicky Productions announce that a brand new cabaret-concert, Lettin' the Good Times Roll featuring the dynamic duo, E. Faye Butler, Felicia P. Fields and a host of renowned musicians in a very special limited engagement for 9 performances at The Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.

What draws 1920s movie star John Barrymore to sail his ship into the wilderness of Glacier Bay? Who is the couple he keeps returning to visit, and how are their lives intertwined? Dreaming Glacier Bay is a new play based on true events by Juneau playwright Joel Bennett. -- See Dreaming Glacier Bay October 24 to November 18 at Perseverance Theatre.

It's quite rare and a sheer delight when an original bio hits the mark bigtime onstage. There have been many shows over the years about iconic stars like Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Charlie Chaplin, John Barrymore among others. but only Barrymore stands apart as memorable. CAGNEY currently playing the El Portal through October 29 goes a giant step beyond; not only is it a genuinely intelligent biography, but also has great drama, romance and musical entertainment for one and all. Opening off-Broadway in 2016, the show was nominated for several Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and witnessing the terrifically dynamic ensemble of six actors headed by Robert Creighton as James Cagney, it's easy to see why. Creighton not only looks like Cagney, but possesses a similar Irish personality and tough yet tender charm that made the original talent such an icon. The other five actors surrounding him Danette Holden, Josh Walden, Jeremy Benton, Ellen Z. Wright and Bruce Sabath are triple threat performers who brilliantly play a myriad of characters each.

An up-and-coming young television star is offered every actor's dream role: playing Hamlet onstage. There's just one complication... he HATES Hamlet. With the return of John Barrymore's ghost, intoxicated and in full costume to reclaim his infamous role, the two embark on a wildly funny duel over women, art, success, duty, television, and yes, even the apartment where Barrymore once lived!

The life of Katherine Hepburn is brilliantly presented in a one woman show that captivates the audience making us feel as if we are in the presence of the real Katherine Hepburn, both in the first act set in 1938 and in the second act set in 1983.

An up-and-coming young television star is offered every actor's dream role: playing Hamlet onstage. There's just one complication... he HATES Hamlet. With the return of John Barrymore's ghost, intoxicated and in full costume to reclaim his infamous role, the two embark on a wildly funny duel over women, art, success, duty, television, and yes, even the apartment where Barrymore once lived!

Drury Lane Theatre continues its 2017-2018 season with the Pulitzer-winning play The Gin Game written by D.L. Coburn, featuring Jeff Award winners Paula Scrofano and John Reeger, and directed by Ross Lehman.

For as long as there have been bars in New York City, writers have congregated in their local watering holes to fight writer's block, find inspiration, and mostly, to drink. In this visual and historical celebration of New York's spirited literary past, Delia Cabe offers a fascinating field guide to all the best writerly taverns and bookish watering holes in New York City.